Crab Parfait Recipes

SMOKED SALMON AND PEEKYTOE CRAB PARFAIT

Steps:

• For the smoked salmon: Remove the blood line from the center of the salmon; cut salmon into small cubes. Harvest only the egg whites from the hard-boiled eggs and chop egg whites. Gently mix all the ingredients together in a mixing bowl; reserve in the refrigerator. For the mixed greens: Mix together and reserve. For the crabmeat: Mix all the ingredients together; reserve in the refrigerator. For the avocado mousse: Remove pit, peel and seed the avocados, then coarsely chop. Emulsify all the ingredients together in a blender. Adjust seasoning without over mixing, and reserve in the refrigerator. For the creme fraiche: Mix all the ingredients together; reserve in the refrigerator. For the white balsamic dressing: Place vinegar, shallots, mustard and honey in blender; puree, then slowly add oil until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper. For the phyllo and brioche disks: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Cut one of the phyllo sheets with a round cookie cutter to make 6 disks 3 to 31/2 inches in diameter. Brush the phyllo with clarified butter. Place on a baking sheet with a SILPAT® nonstick baking mat, and bake about 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Repeat the same procedure with the other phyllo sheet and with the brioche. To plate each serving: Using a round mold 3 to 31/2 inches in diameter, and starting with the brioche on the bottom, layer the salmon, the avocado mousse and the crabmeat. Garnish with the salmon roe and caviar. Place a quenelle (dollop) of creme fraiche on top of the salmon roe. Place the mold in the center of the plate and gently remove the mold, leaving the parfait in the center of the plate. Drizzle the white balsamic dressing in a half-moon shape around the parfait. Scatter the mixed greens on the plate and on the top of the parfait. Roll the edge of the phyllo disk in paprika and place vertically on top of the creme fraiche quenelle (dollop).

BLACK BEAN BLUE CRABS WITH LOTUS CRAB AND AVOCADO PARFAIT

Steps:

• In a hot wok fill 1/3 with oil and bring to a high temperature. In a large bowl, season the crabs, crab shells and lotus and toss well with the cornstarch. Blanch the crab/lotus in the hot oil for only 45 to 60 seconds and set aside on paper towels. Dump out the oil leaving 2 tablespoons and stir-fry on high heat the beans, garlic, ginger, jalapenos and scallions for 1 minute. Season mixture and add back the crab/lotus and deglaze with wines. Reduce by 50 percent and add soy. Check for seasoning.
• Plating: Fill the shells with hot rice. On large dinner plates, place shell in the middle and surround with 3 crab halves and lotus. Spoon on sauce.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the juice, zest, Dijon and honey. Drizzle in the oil and season. In another bowl, lightly toss together the crab, avocado, chopped chives and add half of the vinaigrette. Check for flavor. Lightly rub extra virgin olive oil on the inside of the molds and fill with the crab mixture. Keep in refrigerator. Season the tomatoes.
• Plating: On small plates, place 1 slice of seasoned tomato and top with parfait. Drizzle remaining vinaigrette and garnish with chive batons.

EASY CRAB PUFFS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Combine water and butter in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and add flour; stir to form a ball. Remove from the heat and add eggs all at once; stir until smooth.
• Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a cookie sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until puffs are a nice golden brown and hollow sounding, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool.
• Meanwhile, mix cream cheese, sour cream, celery, onion, garlic powder, and soy sauce until smooth. Mix in crab.
• Fill cooled puff pastries with crab mixture.